Day of Ks — Bees strike out at home

Derek Jenkins made the final out for the Burlington Bees, the last in a Sunday of strikeouts for the Bees and the Kane County Cougars.

Kane County catcher Cole Thompson couldn't hang on to the final strike, but he quickly picked up the ball and tagged Jenkins to end the Cougars' 11-1 win at Community Field.

It was a day of Ks in the scorebook — Burlington struck out 12 times, while Kane County fanned 11 times.

Jenkins struck out three times. Seven players — five Cougars, two Bees — struck out twice.

Every pitcher for both teams recorded at least one strikeout. Kane County starter Connor Grey (1-1) was the most effective, striking out six in six innings.

The difference in the game was what the Cougars did when they weren't striking out. Kane County scored five runs in the first inning, had four in the sixth, and finished with single runs in the eighth and ninth.

Chris Rodriguez (0-1), making his first start for the Bees since being promoted from short-season Class A Orem, got Adam Walton with — of course — a strikeout to open the game, then gave up four hits and a walk. Marcus Wilson drove in a run with a double and Yan Sanchez added a two-run single. Rodriguez's day ended after getting a sharp grounder with the infield in, then reliever Ty Barkell surrendered a two-run single to Stephen Smith.

Burlington's only run came in the bottom of the inning. The inning opened with — what else? — a strikeout by Leonardo Rivas. Then Jonah Todd singled and moved to third on Richie Fecteau's double. Todd then scored on Julian Leon's grounder to second.

Barkell settled in to keep the game close. He pitched 3 2/3 shutout innings, allowing four hits while striking out four.

Kane County, though, scored four runs off Carlos Salazar to break the game open.

Grey was effective throughout his outing, throwing 81 pitches, 56 for strikes.

The offensive struggles came a day after the Bees posted a 15-6 win over the Cougars, scoring 13 of the runs in the final two innings.

Kane County reliever Cody Clark struck out five in two innings, then Anfernee Benitez closed the game with a scoreless ninth, although he allowed back-to-back singles to John Schuknecht and Matt McCann before striking out Jenkins to end the 3-hour, 11-minute game.

NOTES: Rodriguez was 4-1 with a 6.40 ERA at Orem. He had struck out 32 in 32 1/3 innings, and was a Pioneer League All-Star. Rodriguez was a fourth-round pick by the Los Angeles Angels last year. ... Burlington has just seven players left from the Opening Day roster. ... Five players on the Bees' roster are in their first year of professional baseball.

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